Can Europe afford to go it alone on defense? | DW News

If Russia were to invade an EU country, would the bloc be prepared to respond? A new report outlines what Europe needs to combat Russian aggression without the U.S. support its counted on for decades. DW's Steven Beardsley speaks to the report's authors, Guntram Wolff, an economist and senior fellow at Bruegel institute, and Alexandr Burilkov, Assistant Director for Research at the GLOBSEC GeoTech Center.

#europeandefense #usa #russia

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[StevenFullmer]

This is what procrastination looks like...Europe seeing their weakness and not deciding to change until their hand is forced.

[charlessmyth]

Russia has a defence budget of $75-Billion and Europe, including the UK, has a defence budget of $370-Billion. Germany alone, is the same as that of Russia. So money is not an issue. The issue is a coordinated will and organized approach.

[pierrevanhalteren]

There is only ONE issue, absence of political will as politics know they would loose elections on this subject. Except for some European populations most do not feel a real sense of threat. A bit like in 1938. Democracies are very weak in preparing for war.

[rocksmo]

Europe has the financial resources and the military technology to easily outmatch Russia. Our Politicians are just hesitant and were over reliant on the US.

[Lode-lmqz]

As a Finn I have never understood those lazy big countries in Europe such as German France and Italy etc.

Imagine that FINLAND has the most tanks in Europe. Really FINLAND with population of 5 million people. 🤦‍♀️

[tonycavanagh]

The Russian defence budget in USD $75bn
The UK defence budget in USD74.9 billion

We roughly spend what Russia spends and they are over heating there economy for that.

European defence budget is USD 588 billion

Its not that we need to spend more, we need to spend smart.

[mariosathens]

European Defence is a MUST.
or else Europe will become a playground of militarily strong countries.
Enough is enough, we must take our own fate in our hands.

[corentinbm]

It's almost like France was right all along

[stupidburp]

Europe can absolutely afford it. They survived during the cold war at spending levels 2-3 times what they are now on average.

[johnnytsunami]

25 years of calling Americans dumb and to mind their own business, well here's your wish.

[agnezabarutanski]

As a citizen of a corrupted EU country with countless issues and perpetual problems (Croatia), I say: ABSOLUTELY, YES!
I'm willing to pay EU solidarity tax to finance Ukrainian war efforts as well as recovery and rebuild of Ukraine after the victory is finally achieved.
My country has gone through its own ordeal, USA, UK and others were initually reluctant to aid us in our fight for independence, but in the end, our determination got us heard and we won our fight against what was nominally a militarily superior enemy. Ukraine is already an internationaly recognized country, it has sizeable population, their moral is high despite the suffering, and courage was never a question when it comes to Ukrainians as they've been fighting for their right to exist since as long as they exist. All they need is support from other nations on the continent. We must give them that support - whoever experienced the heavy hand of Russia and its lackeys knows that anything is better than being under rule of Kremlin.
It's time to outgrow petty fears and selfishness of individual nations - Ukraine is fighting for all of us. This a chance for EU to grow, get stronger and ultimately evolve into bastion of freedom, safety and good quality of life for all of its nations, as it was supposed to be.
Come on EU, and come on Ukraine!

[deleoladeji]

I see all these inflated European defense spending and I ask myself, what did they use all those funds to acquire over the decades.

[jacko]

Germany has seen the industrial sector shrink because you've but yourselves off at the knees with regards to energy. You've given up the ability to generate cheap energy so your hopes of German manufacturing greatness is nothing but a dream

[David-hrb]

Of course we can. The amount of self belittling on this continent is just wild. We would be the worlds first and foremost super power in every area if we stopped self doubts and stopped with all this hesitation and just did the things we need to do. Make Europe great again

[BofansonDiZnats]

Yeah the 2 Estonian border guards surely are the backbone of Europe’s defence

[thegreatdane]

What a silly question. The US is no longer an ally, so European defence without the US is already reality.
The real question is if we can create a new European alliance, or if it will be everyone for themselves.

[cagrieren]

Turkey should be included in the European Union. It would be a very good move for the cheap production.

[choomlaboom]

It's not defense spending. It's about how long you're willing to commit troops and eventually drafted citizens to the meat grinder.

[christianfaust]

The question is not "can"...we must!

[thilomanten]

Germany particularily outsourced it all! Security to the US (that umbrella is gone now), Cheap Energy (That gas from Ruzzia is gone now) and manufacturing (that train is departing to China just now!) - Our politicians sold us out and themselves cashed-in!